In California, a growing movement seeks to establish 18 as the minimum age for marriage, as the state currently has no age restrictions.
Thousands of minors have been married in California, with the majority being young girls marrying adult men. This issue has come to the forefront with Assembly Bill 1267, which proposes raising the marriage age to 18 without exceptions.
The bill, now headed to a vote on the Senate Floor, has gained traction due to the efforts of former child brides and advocacy groups like Unchained at Last. The organization, which analyzed U.S. Census data from 2000 to 2021, found that approximately 35,000 underage marriages occurred in California. Fraidy Reiss, founder of Unchained at Last, stated, “Child marriage destroys almost every aspect of a girl’s life.”
Courtney Stodden, a former child bride who married at 16, is among those advocating for change. She recounted her experience, saying, “He took my innocence. He took my childhood. He took everything, really.” The current law requires a judge to interview minors and their guardians before marriage, but advocates argue these precautions are insufficient.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) California Action opposes the bill, arguing it could drive minors in abusive relationships further underground. In a previous letter, the ACLU stated that the bill “unnecessarily and unduly intrudes on the fundamental rights of marriage without sufficient cause.” Despite this opposition, the bill has gained support from other organizations, including Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California.
If AB 1267 passes and Governor Gavin Newsom approves it, it could potentially go into effect January 1, 2027.
Recent Comments